The Ohio State Buckeyes have built one of the most celebrated traditions in college sports. Known for excellence in both Ohio State Buckeyes football and Ohio State Buckeyes basketball, the program has produced national titles, legendary players, and unforgettable moments. Fans nationwide proudly support the Buckeyes’ long-standing success on and off the field.
College Sports Established
1912
Location
Columbus, Ohio
College Name
The Ohio State University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1912 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1912 – Present / Big 10 Conference
Nickname
Buckeyes - The Ohio State Buckeyes have been a powerhouse in college football for decades, and their iconic nickname has become synonymous with success. But where did the name “Buckeye” come from?
Ohio State Buckeyes Origin
The answer lies in Ohio’s state tree—the buckeye. According to legend, during the Civil War, an Ohio soldier was asked what type of nut he carried as a good luck charm by fellow soldiers from other states who had never seen one before. He replied that it was a buckeye nut—and thus began the connection between this beloved symbol of resilience and strength and The Ohio State University's athletic teams.
In 1950, Woody Hayes became head coach at OSU and officially adopted "Buckeyes" as their mascot after being inspired by its symbolic meaning: courage under fire; determination; resourcefulness; adaptability - all qualities found on any successful team! Since then, fans have proudly cheered on their favorite team with shouts of “Go Bucks!”
Over time Buckeyes fans embraced not only the name but also its associated colors (scarlet & gray), traditions such as dotting O-H-I-O before games or singing Carmen Ohio at halftime shows - even creating unique cheers like "O–H–I–O!" which is still used today when cheering for The Scarlet & Gray! It's no wonder they are considered one of college football's most passionate fan bases – they truly embody what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves while supporting their beloved school every step.
NCAA Championships
Baseball 1
1966
Men's Basketball 1
1960
Women's Basketball 0
Football 5
2024, 2014, 2002, 1968, 1942
Soccer 0
- 1960
- 1966
- 1993
- 2002
- 2003
- 2007
- 2008
- 2018
- 2024
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Buckeyes NCAA Basketball Champs 1960
The 1960 NCAA University Division Basketball Tournament involved 25 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men’s NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States. It began on March 7, 1960, and ended with the championship game on March 19 in Daly City, California (immediately south of San Francisco). A total of 29 games were ... -
Buckeyes Baseball Champions 1966
The 1966 NCAA University Division Baseball Tournament was played at the end of the 1966 NCAA University Division baseball season to determine the national champion of college baseball. The tournament concluded with eight teams competing in the College World Series, a double-elimination tournament in its twentieth year. Eight regional districts sent representatives to the College World Series with preliminary rounds ... -
1993 Buckeyes: A Top Seed and NCAA Success
The Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team represented Ohio State University during the 1992–93 NCAA Division I women’s basketball season. They advanced to the Final Four and were runners-up in the national championship game. In 1993, they added Katie Smith, the Gatorade National player of the year to the roster, who helped lead the team to a 24–3 regular season record ... -
Ohio State Football team wins the BCS National Championship
In 2002: Football team wins the BCS National Championship against Miami (FL) in the Fiesta Bowl, finishing with a perfect 14-0 record -
Buckeyes Women’s basketball team wins the Big Ten regular season title
In 2003: Buckeyes Women’s basketball team wins the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles for the first time. -
Chasing Glory: Buckeyes Men’s Soccer Through the Years
The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s soccer team represents Ohio State University in NCAA Division I men’s college soccer competitions. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference. The team has four regular season titles (2004, 09, 15, and 24). They have appeared in the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament 12 times including a runner-up finish in the ... -
Fiesta Bowl against Texas Win
In 2008: Ohio state buckeyes Football team wins the Fiesta Bowl against Texas. -
The football team wins Big Ten championship
In 2018: The football team wins its second consecutive Big Ten championship and defeats Washington in Urban Meyer’s final game as head coach in the Rose Bowl, finishing with a 13-1 record and a No. 3 ranking in both polls. -
Ohio State Reigns Supreme: 2024 Title Adds to Storied History
The Ohio State Buckeyes Men’s Football team participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association‘s (NCAA) Division I. The Buckeyes are recognized by the university and NCAA as having won nine national championships including seven from the major wire-service selectors: AP Poll and/or Coaches’ Poll. The program has also captured 41 conference championships (2 OAC and 39 Big Ten), 10 division ...
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Ohio State Buckeyes History
The Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the most iconic programs in college sports history, especially renowned for their legendary rivalry with the Michigan Wolverines. With more than a century of tradition, the Ohio State Buckeyes have excelled on the football field, basketball court, and baseball diamond. They have earned multiple national championships, including eight in Ohio State Buckeyes football, one in Ohio State Buckeyes basketball, and two in baseball. Over the decades, stars such as Archie Griffin, Eddie George, Jerry Lucas, and John Havlicek have become household names representing the Buckeyes.
The Ohio State Buckeyes football program has set the national standard for consistency and success. Under legendary coach Woody Hayes, Ohio State captured five national championships between 1954 and 1970. Later, coaches like Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer added to the legacy, with Meyer guiding the team to the 2014 College Football Playoff National Championship. The program also produced multiple Heisman Trophy winners, including Archie Griffin (1974 & 1975), Eddie George (1995), and Troy Smith (2006). Today, under head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes remain a perennial contender in the Big Ten Conference, facing top programs like Michigan and Penn State every season.
Beyond football, the Ohio State Buckeyes basketball program has a rich history of success. The men’s team claimed the NCAA Championship in 1960 and has made multiple Final Four appearances since, producing NBA legends such as Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek, and Mike Conley Jr. The Buckeyes continue to be a force in Big Ten basketball, regularly earning high seeds in the NCAA Tournament and maintaining one of the strongest home-court advantages at Value City Arena.
The Buckeyes’ commitment to excellence extends off the field and court as well. Ohio State’s athletic department invests heavily in world-class facilities and academic support. Student-athletes compete at elite levels while earning degrees in diverse programs, making the Ohio State Buckeyes experience unique among major universities.
Buckeyes Achievements
In total, the Ohio State Buckeyes have captured over 30 Big Ten football titles, more than 20 conference basketball crowns, and dozens of national championships across other sports. Their student-athletes have won Olympic medals, set professional records, and become community leaders nationwide. This legacy of athletic dominance combined with academic strength makes Ohio State one of the most respected institutions in college athletics.
Today, fans across the country proudly support the Ohio State Buckeyes football and Ohio State Buckeyes basketball programs. Whether at Ohio Stadium, known as “The Horseshoe,” or inside Value City Arena, Buckeye Nation continues to celebrate a tradition built on championships, legendary players, and a standard of excellence that defines collegiate sports.
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